Written by
Stacia Kalinoski
File image from the Associated Press.
GRAND RAPIDS (WZZM) - Ford International Airport is continuing to close the gap in its efforts to compete with Detroit Metro and Chicago O'Hare Airports.
That's the message Dick DeVos shared with business leaders Wednesday morning, and he asked for their support to help Ford continue down that path.
The Air Alliance of West Michigan reports that since AirTran came on board in 2009, the airport has saved travelers $45 million.
DeVos also say the average airfare is down 9 percent over the same time period, from $418 to $380. That said, flights out of Grand Rapids still cost about 10 percent more than other airports.
Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce President Rick Baker says that cost will fall when Southwest arrives.
"We're getting very close to evening that out, and so I think Southwest will have a big impact. They do have strong brand recognizition," Rick Baker.
Members of the Air Alliance told WZZM 13 News on Tuesday and Wednesday that Southwest was set to transition into Grand Rapids in June.
However, after our report, Southwest Airlines called our information center and said that is not true.
The spokesperson said no date has been announced yet. He said they would release the starting date six months ahead of the official merger, to allow time for passengers to make decisions in booking their flights.